Revision as of 08:41, 22 November 2011

old town, view from west

Nuremberg (German: Nürnberg) [1] is a city in the German state of Bavaria, in the administrative region of Middle Franconia; it is Bavaria's second largest city after Munich. It is situated on the Pegnitz river and the Main-Danube Canal. It is located about 105 miles north of Munich, at 49.27° N 11.5° E. Population (as of 31. January 2008) is 502,984.
The town is also the Center of the Metropolitan Region Nuremberg. [2]

Understand

When people think of Nuremberg, they usually think of gingerbread, toys, Christmas, the Reich Party Rally Grounds, or the Nuremberg Trials. But the old town of Nuremberg in the shadow of the towering imperial castle is more than that. Gothic churches, splendid patricians' houses and romantic corners and spots. An atmosphere of lively co-existence between medieval and modern, between the past and the present, prevails in Nuremberg.

Get in

By plane

Nuremberg Airport (IATA: NUEICAO: EDDN) Nürnberg Flughafen, +49 911-93700, [3]. Air Berlin runs a lot of their flights from Nuremberg. Getting from the airport to the city is no problem. The U2 subway line directly connects Nuremberg Airport with the central train station thus providing access to Nuremberg's city center in about 12 minutes only. The International Airport has been awarded the renowned Business Traveller Award for being the ‘Best German Airport’ in 2009.

By train

You will probably find yourself arriving by train. The main train station itself is located right next to the old city, which is a stroll away.
Starting in 2010 your DB or VGN ticket allows you to use over 650 bus and rail services, the underground (U-Bahn), the suburban railway (S-Bahn and R-Bahn), trams, buses and DB trains. The area covers about 14.000 square kilometers from Bayreuth und Bamberg to Solnhofen in the Altmühltal and to Ebern in the Haßberge district.

By car

Nuremberg is connected to the major German "Autobahn" network (A3, A6, A73, A9). The traffic in the area, town and parking areas is controlled by the biggest dynamic traffic guidance system (Dynamisches Verkehrsleitsystem) in Europe.

By ship

The Port of Nuremberg is located about 6 km southwest of the old town and Main Railway Station. During the year, over 500 cruise ships stop in Nuremberg.

By bus

The main bus station is located near the main train station. You will usually only arrive by bus when departing from outside of Germany. (Eurolines has many connections to Nuremberg from different locations in Europe.)

Tourist information

More information can be found on the website of the Nuremberg Convention and Tourist Office. [4] (English)

Get around

The old town is best explored on foot. To get from one part of the old town to another by car or public transport, you will often have to leave the old town and reenter it at a different gate.

By public transport

Nuremberg has various subway lines (U1, U11, U2, U21). The U3, first automated metro line with mixed trains in the world (driverless and driver) has been released for regular passenger operation starting June 15, 2008. Six tramway (Line 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9) and numerous bus lines. Most subway and tram lines stop at the main station (Hauptbahnhof). Subway line 1 connects Nuremberg with its neighbour city Fürth, line 2 goes to the airport and the Harbor. From 1 to 4 AM you can use the "NightLiner" Bus-Network. As of January 1, 2011, a day ticket costs 4.20 euro. If you buy the day ticket on Saturday, it is valid on Sunday as well.

Parties of up to six persons can benefit from the "TagesTicket Plus" scheme. All-day or weekend travel for up to 2 adults and 4 children (up to 17 years of age). Instead of 2 persons you can take 2 bicycles, 1 dog accompanies you for free. On longer journeys "TagesTicket Plus" will pay off even if you are travelling on your own.
The "TagesTicket Plus" for 6,80 € for example is valid in Nürnberg-Fürth-Stein. If you want to cover the entire travel link area from Bamberg, Bayreuth to Treuchtlingen and from Amberg to Rothenburg, you can get the ticket for 14,70 € .

You can buy monthly pass to travel for 60,40 (60.40) Euros. It is valid to travel in U Bahn, S Bahn, Tram within the city limit. Perfect for short-term stay.

See

Enjoy four cities à la carte for only 21 €. Any visitor who spends at least one night in Nuremberg, Fuerth, Erlangen or Schwabach is able to purchase the "Nürnberg Card." It includes free admission to 49 museums and attractions and free travel on all public transport services in Nuremberg and Fuerth. You also get 10 to 15 percent discounts on purchases in many shops. Seven theaters, ranging from children's theater to cabaret to travesty revues, offer attractive 10 to 20 percent discounts. Europe's largest IMAX cinema in the CineCittà Nuremberg offers the most current films - and lowers the entrance price.
[5]

Map of Nuremberg's Old Town (Altstadt), click to enlarge.

Old Town

Nuremberg's old town is divided by the river Pegnitz. The northern half is called Sebalder Alstadt, the southern Lorenzer Altstadt.

Castle, ☎24 46 59-0. Every day Apr-Sep 9AM-6PM, Oct-Mar 10AM-4PM. The castle dominates the north-western corner of Nuremberg's old town. In the west (on the right, when coming from the city) the castle starts with Luginsland tower. Between it and the five-cornered tower is the Kaiserstallung. It was built in 1495 in only one year and served originally as a storehouse for grain. Today it is used as a youth hostel. The five-cornered tower was constructed before 1050 and is the oldest building of the castle and city. Further east are the entry to the castle garden and the castle gate. Through the castle gate one gets to the Freiung, where you can enjoy one of the best views of the old town. If you want to look further you can climb the round tower (Sinwellturm) in the first court of the castle. There you also find the deep well (Tiefer Brunnen). In the main court is the Kemenate on the right and the Palas on the left side. The Palas houses the castle museum, further rooms including the two-storey chapel can be seen on a guided tour. (Note: The guided tour offered by the Castle is only in German. However, another company offers English and other language tours of the town and castle for € 8-10. Information is available inside the Tourist Information Center in the Market Square, where the tour starts).€ 6 (''Museum, guided tour, Sinwellturm and Tiefer Brunnen. Outside areas free.'').

City Walls. Originally Nuremberg's city wall had a length of five kilometers and five gates: Laufer, Spittler-, Frauen-, Neu- und Tiergärtner Tor. From the 13th to the 16th century the wall was continuously strengthened and is one of the reasons why the city withstood all attacks during this time. Nearly four kilometers of the wall are still standing. Only on the east side between the main station and Rathenauplatz are large gaps. The city moat, which was never filled with water, still exists in its full wide for about two kilometers. Between Färbertor and Spittlertor (Plärrer) you should avoid the inner side of the wall, as it runs along Nuremberg's red light district.

Castle Quarter (Burgviertel). Numerous old buildings here survived the war. The street Fuell with its sand stone houses is a typical merchant's street. The craftsmen lived in timber-framed houses, many of which have been restored in Weissgerbergasse. More timber-framed houses can be seen in Obere and Untere Kraemersgasse. In Untere Kraemersgasse 16 you can often look into the tiny courtyard.

St Sebald Church (Sebalduskirche). Built from the 13th to 15th century. In the center of the church is the grave of the city saint, depicting scenes of his life.

St Lawrence Church (Lorenzkirche). Built from the 13th to 15th century. Among its many treasures are the Tabernacel by Adam Kraft and the Greeting Angels by Veit Stoss.

Art Bunker (Kunstbunker), Obere Schmiedgasse 52, ☎+49 (0)911 22 70 66 (info@felsengaenge-nuernberg.de), [7]. Visits of the World War II Art Bunker are only possible in the course of a guided tour. Daily guided tour at 2 p.m. (in German), In addition to regular guided tours the Association of Friends of Nuremberg Rock Cellars is happy to organise guided tours for groups of up to 25 people by special arrangement. These tours are also available in English, French, Italian, Spanish and Czech.

Way of Human Rights (Straße der Menschenrechte), [8]. A monumental outdoor sculpture, opened on October 24, 1993. It is sited on the street between the new and old buildings of the Germanisches Nationalmuseum, connecting Kornmarkt street and the medieval city wall.

Suburbs

St. Johannis. The old suburb west of the old town is best seen on a 30-minute walk from Tiergärtnertor to Hallertor. Still within the walls, the house opposite Dürerhaus is called the house of Pilate. It is the start of the way to St. Johns church, with stations of the cross made by Veit Stoss. Follow this way through the gate, across the main street and turn left. At the next street (Burgschmietstrasse), turn right and follow it until it joins Johannisstrasse which leads us along a few remaining timber-framed houses to St. John's cemetery. Many famous citizens of Nuremberg are buried here. After visiting the cemetery, turn right into Lindengasse, then left into the small alley called Riesenschritt. Here are the entrances to some restored baroque gardens. These small gardens are called Hesperidengaerten. At the lower end of Risenschritt you may wander through the romantic lanes of Gross- and Kleinweidenmuehle. Finally walk through the park along the river back into the city.

Reich Party Rally Grounds (Reichsparteitagsgelände), Bayernstraße 110 (Tramway #9 (from main station) or #6 (from Plärrer) or bus #36 (from Hauptmarkt) to Doku-Zentrum, or S-Bahn Line 2 to Dutzendteich (on the S-Bahn map, it looks like other lines go to this stop, but they are express trains which do not stop at Dutzendteich)). Soon after they came to power in 1933 the Nazis designated Nuremberg as place for their annual party rallies. To demonstrate their power they planned a set of gigantic buildings. Only a fraction of these were actually built, including a colossal Congress Hall and the reviewing stand at the Zeppelin field. The actual rally grounds cover a large area, if you want to tour the area plan to spend one or two hours. It is advisable to start with a visit of the Documentation Center (museum in the stadium wall - see Museums below). In regards to the Grosser Strasse, unless you want a long walk there is nothing really interesting to see other than a modern long road. A couple industrial businesses are located along the road, as well as a couple footpaths for wooded trails around the lake.

Zoo (Tiergarten), Am Tiergarten 30 (Tramway #5 (from main station) to Tiergarten), ☎54546, [10]. Every Day, Summer 8AM-7.30PM, Winter 9AM-5PM.. The Nuremberg Tiergarten is one of the most beautiful zoos in europe. Located in a beautiful landscape on the Schmausenbuck Hill in the Nuremberg borough Zerzabelshof (Zabo). The Tiergarten get on the top of media interest, when the polar bear baby Flocke (Snowflake)were born in December 2007. The zoo is set in old quarries in the large forest at the eastern edge of the city. You can get direct bus from here to Doku-Zentrum to see Party Rally Grounds, easy credit station (World cup 2006 Statium).Adult € 9.00, Kids € 5.5, Kids with Bahnpass € 3.5 Families €15.

Kraftshof Village Church, Kraftshof (Tramway #9 (from main station) or #4 (from Plärrer) to Thon. Change there to bus #31). In the middle ages only towns had the right to build a wall, villages were unprotected against raiding troops. Therefore many villages built walls around the church yard. Kraftshof is a good example. From Kraftshof it is a 30 minutes stroll to Neunhof.

Neunhof Manor, (Schloss Neunhof), Neunhofer Hauptstraße (Tramway #9 (from main station) or #4 (from Plärrer) to Thon. Change there to bus #31), [12]. Easter-Sept Sa, Su 10AM-5PM (closed in winter). Nuremberg's patricians had numerous manor houses in the surrounding villages. This is a good example, built in the 16th century. Adjoining is a small baroque garden.

Museums

Germanisches Nationalmuseum, Kartäusergasse 1, [13]. Tu, Th-Su 10AM-6PM, W 10AM-9PM. One of the largest museum of art and crafts in the German-speaking countries. €4 (€5 during major exhibitions. W from 6PM free.).

Transportation Museum (Verkehrsmuseum), Lessingstraße 6 (Subway #2, stop Opernhaus), ☎230 880. Tu-Fr 9AM-5PM Sa-Su and holidays 10AM-6PM. This museum contains two collection the DB Museum (museum of the national railway) [14] and the Museum for Communication[15]. The railway museum displays the development of railways in Germany from the beginnings in 1835 to today. It has a collection of historic stock and a large model railroad. Its children's areas makes it a good place to visit for families. The museum for communication displays the history of mail and telecommunications.€3.

Medieval Dungeons, Rathausplatz 2 (Near the main market square), ☎(+911)231-2690 (zd@stadt.nuernberg.de), [17]. Medieval prison and torture museum under the city hall, open for guided tour only. Students only €1.50.€3.

Courtroom 600 - Nuremberg Trials, Fürther Straße 110, [18]. Saturdays and Sundays from 1 p.m. - 4 p.m, Tour Every hour on the hour. During renovation from April 2008 to autumn 2009 closed.. Courtroom 600 can only be visited with a guided tour (supplemented by a short introductory film based on historical footage). The guided tours are in German, English information is also available.

Museums on the municipal ticket - The following museums participate together in a single ticket program; a ticket from any one of these museums (€5 or €2.50 for students) is valid for entry at all other museums on the same day. The website [19] for the museum cooperative provides further information.

Albrecht Dürer's House, Albrecht-Dürer-Straße 39, ☎231- 2568, [20]. Every day 10AM-5PM (''Th -8PM, closed M Oct, Nov, Jan-Jun''). The house in which the painter Albrecht Dürer lived and worked from 1509 until 1528. Representative of a wealthy house of that period. Exhibition about life in the house and the way Dürer worked. €5.

Documentation Center at the Reich Party Rally Grounds (Dokumentationszentrum Reichsparteitagsgelände), Bayernstraße 110 (Tramway #9 (from main station) or #6 (from Plärrer) or bus #36 (from Hauptmarkt) to Doku-Zentrum), ☎231- 5666. Monday-Friday 9 a.m.-6 p.m., Saturday-Sunday 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Last entry 5 p.m.. The Documentation Center is in the north wing of the Congress Hall of Reich Party Rally Grounds. Topics shown in the documentation centre are: How the Nazis rose to power, The organization of the party rallies - how the Nazis fascinated the masses, How the party rallies are connected to the Nazi crimes against minorities and to the world war. The audio guide (included with admission price) is highly recommended for non-German speakers (and Germans as well).€5.

Toy Museum (Spielzeugmuseum), Karlstraße 13-15, ☎231 - 3260. Tu-F 10AM-5PM, Sa,Su 10AM-6PM (every day during Christikindlesmarkt and toy fair). Nuremberg was one of the centres of the German toy industry. The exhibition shows wooden and metal toys, dolls and doll houses, model railways and modern toys.€5.

Fembohaus Citymuseum, Burgstraße 15, ☎231-2595. Tu-F 10AM-5PM, Sa/Su 10AM-6PM. A merchant's house built about 1600. Exhibition about the history of the city.€5.

Museum of Industrial Culture, Äußere Sulzbacher Straße 62 (Tramway #8 from main station, direction Erlenstegen, stop Tafelwerk), ☎231-3875. Exhibition about the industrial revolution, along a museum street you see how living conditions, social life and technology developed during the 19th century.€5.

Do

Events

Volksfest, [21]: Like a small Oktoberfest, runs twice a year, typical visitors about 1,6 Million .

Altstadtfest, [22]: The "Old Town Festival" in September attracts over a million visitors every year, making it the largest folklore event in Germany. The festival offers a broad programme of attractions including processions and concerts. There is also plenty to taste in terms of food and drink at the 'gastronomy market' and at numerous restaurants and beer gardens on Schütt Island and Hans-Sachs-Platz.

Rock im Park, [23]: A three day rock event, 60.000 People, run yearly at the same time as Rock Am Ring

Klassik Open Air, [24]: Twice a year you can listen the "Nürnberger Philharmoniker" and the "Nürnberger Symphoniker". This event is also known as "Woodstock of classic music". For free. Come early, because of 60.000 People.

Bardentreffen, [25]: On the first weekend in the bavarian summer vacations (End of July) you can listen 400 artists from all over the world on eight stages in the town for free. About 200.000 visitors each year.

Blaue Nacht, [26]: Blue Night – every year in May, museums, churches and other cultural institutions open their doors – until the early morning hours. Art and light installations, music and performances in Nuremberg's inner city streets invite people to stroll about, look, listen and be amazed. About 120,000 visitors are expected every year.

Lange Nacht der Wissenschaften, [27]: “The Long Night Of Science”, – in October many companys, the Institute of Technology, the universitys are open for the public.

Tag der offenen Tür, [28]: “Doors Open Days”, – Every two years in October the municipality and many organisations open 3 days for the public. In 2009 you will find over 120 open doors.

Internationales Figurentheater-Festival, [29]: Every two years, the curtains go up in Nuremberg for Germany's biggest puppet theatre festival. About 50 ensembles from many nations take to the stages of the conurbation and show the latest trends.

Christkindlesmarkt, [30]: Famous Christmas market held every year from Friday before the first advent Sunday to December 23. On weekends it is often overcrowded.

Trempelmärkte, [31]: Nuremberg Flea Markets. On the second weekend in May and on the first weekend in September, Nuremberg’s Old Town transforms itself into Germany’s largest flea market with about 4000 booths. Children have their own, at no charge area, allowing them to sell their old and not-so-old toys.

1. FC Nuremberg, [32]: The "Club" was founded in 1900 and is one of the most tradition-steeped football clubs in Germany. The Club play their Bundesliga home games in the easyCredit-Stadion.

Norisring DTM Speedweekend, [33]: Once a year world famous “Norisring”, the 200 miles from Nuremberg happens to the car race maniacs. This race track is known as "little Monaco", because they also use normal streets. The world famous race drivers on hot wheels attract over 140.000 peoples.

Radrennen "Rund um die Nürnberger Altstadt, [34]: Cycle Race “Round the Old Town” The cycle race is one of the most important events in the Nuremberg sports calendar and is a firmly fixed event for the international cycling sport. The high quality of the race circuit makes this event really standout against the many cycle races held in Germany. More than 100,000 spectators are able to watch the Nuremberger cycle race.

ION - MUSICA SACRA, [38]: International Organ Week. Presented for the first time in 1951 by church musicians of the two major protestant churches of Nürnberg, the “Internationale Orgelwoche Nürnberg” - Musica Sacra (ION) is one of Germany's biggest and oldest festivals of sacred and organ music. Each year Nürnberg becomes the "centre of the organ universe".

175 Years of Railway in Germany, [39]: Nuremberg is the central venue for the german Railway Year 2010 because it is here that 175 years ago, the first German train took to the tracks. On 7 December, 1835, the steam-driven "Adler" started off from Nuremberg’s Plärrer square towards the neighbouring city of Fürth. The Town attracts between late spring and the end of 2010 visitors with a programme of events which will appeal to railway enthusiasts and non-specialists alike.

Buy

Nuremberg's main shopping district ist the Lorenzer Altstadt, the part of the old town south of river Pegnitz. There are three shopping streets running from the white tower (Weißer Turm) to the vicinity of St Lawrence church (Lorenzkirche): The cheapest stores can be found in Breite Gasse, in Karolinenstrasse you find mid-priced stores and Kaisserstraße, next to the river, offers luxury goods. At their eastern end the three streets are connected by the street Königsstraße, which runs from the main station via St Lawrence church to the main market place. The biggest department stores, Karstadt, Galeria Kaufhof and Breuninger, are located here. On Trödelmarkt you find some small snugly shops. At Sebalder Altstadt you find antiques, curiosities and designer shops.

The shopping streets and smaller centres outside the old town have less to offer. Only visit them if you are looking for a specific shop.

Souvenirs

Ginger bread (Lebkuchen): Several large manufacturers and a number of small bakeries produce these. The best quality is called Elisenlebkuchen. The large manufactures sell packages labeled Bruch (broken), but they usually don't contain broken gingerbread: it is just a trick. You get them cheaper, but you can hardly use a package labeled broken as a gift.

Sausages (Nürnberger Bratwürste) are available in tin cans.

Eat

Bratwurst (roasted sausage): Within the city you get Nürnberger Bratwürste, in the surrounding area Fränkische Bratwürste. Nürnberger are only about half the size, but contain more spices than Fränkische. Consequently one typically eats three Fränkische or six Nürnberger. In restaurants Bratwürste are served with Sauerkraut or potato salad. In some better restaurants you can order also "Saure Zipfel", cooked Bratwürste in vinegar-onion sauce with fresh horseradish and bread. On the street you can also buy two or three sausages in a roll ('Drei im Weggla'). But be careful to get "real" Nürnberger and not "foreign" Thüringer Bratwürste. Nürnberger Bratwürste / Nürnberger Rostbratwürste is also protected under EU law with Protected designation of origin status.

Budget

Many food stalls and fast food restaurants can be found along Königstraße leading from the main station into the old town.

One stand is in the middle of the street perpendicular to the front of the Lorenzkirche.

Mid-range

La Creperie du Chateau, Untere Schmiedgasse 5, ☎0911 2110108. Outdoor seating in the summer, indoor restaurant year-round. Right down from the Castle, a few steps down. Fantastic home French cuisine, made by super friendly Chef Guy Ody who cooks authentic Provence food. Do not miss his wonderful crepes, so thin you'd think he uses magic. Very cozy dining room with just a few tables, you feel like you are in Guy's personal dining room.€ 10 - 15 per entree.

Kettensteg Biergarten, Maxplatz 35, ☎0911 221 081. Outdoor seating in the summer, indoor restaurant year-round. Beautiful view of the iron bridge and the Pegnitz River just inside the old city wall at the Hallertor. Great local cuisine and beer, English menu available.€ 10 - 15 per entree.

Historische Bratwurstküche - Zum Guldenen Stern, Zirkelschmiedsgasse 26, ☎2059288, [44]. Restaurant in an old timber-framed house specializing in roasted sausages. Oldest sausage restaurant in the world, since 1419.€ 7.10 for six sausages.

Splurge

Drink

Beer: many great beers are made in Franconia (the area around Nuremberg has the largest concentration of breweries world wide) and even in the Nuremberg itself. About 300 Breweries still working.

Barfüßer, Hallplatz 2 (In the basement of the historic grainery on Königstraße), ☎20 42 42, [52]. A large, lively German-style beer hall, where you can have a keg delivered to your table and pour your own drinks as you go. Hearty Franconian food is on the menu, and they brew their own blond beer.€ 7-12 per entree.

Indabahn (Blauer Adler), (West end of the Main Train Station (Hauptbahnhof)). A good, albeit relatively expensive, cocktail bar and on weekend it is also a club.

Cubano, Innere Laufer Gasse (northeast of the town hall). Another good cocktail bar

Landbierparadies (Country Beer Paradise). Guesthouses and beer-shops operated by Landbierparadise in town, you find a collection of local beers and local food.

Wine: The Franconian wine is said to be a "man's wine". Analogous to "man's chocolate" this points to a rather dry taste. Furthermore the rather harsh climate and the soil structure definitely contribute to this fact. An extravagance of the Franconian wines is their bottle. In Germany the Bocksbeutel bottle shape is generally reserved for higher-quality wines from Franconia.

Mach 1, Kaiserstraße 1 (Next to the entrance of the parking garage (Adler Parkhaus)), [54]. Nice club with good flair, they are usually playing House music

Sleep

For a fast room reservation service in the Nuremberg-Fuerth-Erlangen-Schwabach area, please go to the Online room reservation request of the Nuremberg Convention and Tourist Office. [55]

Budget

DJH (YHA/HI), Burg 2 (situated in the former castle stables to the north of the old city), ☎+49 911 2309360 (jhnuernberg@djh-bayern.de, fax: +49 911 23093611), [56]. Note that DJH/YHA/HI membership is required (or an extra fee is paid) and, as in all YHA hostels in Bavaria, persons over 27 years of age are only admitted if the hostel is not full. Closed: 24/12/2006 to 26/12/2006. Linen included in price.B&B from €18.90; half board from €23.20; full board from €26.50.

In the Old City

Hotel Elch, Irrerstr. 9 (Between Maxplatz and Sebalderplatz), ☎0911 249 298 0 (info@hotel-elch.com, fax: 0911 249 298 44), [64]. A small hotel in a quaint old building, located on a quiet street just a few minutes' walk from several restaurants and sights.

Hotel Leonardo, Zufuhrstr. 22, ☎0911 27 760 (info.nuernbergcity@leonardo-hotels.de), [69]. Part of a small chain of hotels in Germany, amenities include free WiFi in the rooms and free bicycle rental.Singles from € 55.

North of the Old City

Hotel Kreuzeck, Erlangerstr. B4 (Halfway between the old city and the airport), ☎0911 3 49 61, [74]. Singles beginning at €50.

Acom Hotel (Accom Hotel), Leipziger Platz 22 (Between the old city and the airport, directly at the Nordostbahnhof underground station), ☎+49 911 6505990, [75]. New budget hotel, opened 2010.Singles/doubles from €49.

South of the Old City

Hotel St. Peter, Harsdorffer Str. 30 (between the main station and the exhibition centre), ☎+49/911/946690 (info@hotel-st-peter.de), [76]. Family run hotel.Single rooms from €55.

Stay safe

According to the state police, it has the lowest crime rate of the cities with more than 400,000 inhabitants.